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Joan Robb
Born1921
Died19 October 2017, age 95
Alma materMassey Agricultural College
Scientific career
Fieldsherpetology
InstitutionsAuckland University
Author abbrev. (zoology)Robb

Joan Robb (c. 1921 – 19 October 2017) was a New Zealand herpetologist and wildlife tour guide.

Academic career[edit]

Robb grew up in Gisborne, and was educated at home through the Correspondence School.[1] After a Diploma in Agriculture from Massey Agricultural College, she studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with an MSc in zoology in 1956.[1][2] Robb then worked in the Department of Zoology at the University of Auckland, becoming an associate professor in 1967.[2] She taught vertebrate form and function.[1] She retired in 1978, after which she became a tour guide for wildlife tours to Malaysia, Nepal, China, Australia, and Africa.[2]

Robb held positions on the Fauna Protection Advisory Council (an advisory group to the Department of Internal Affairs, who were then responsible for conservation[3]) and the Council of the Auckland Museum.[2]

Robb's research focused on herpetology, particularly New Zealand lizards, and she named five new taxa of skink and gecko. Her 1980 book describing New Zealand amphibians and reptiles was considered to be "academic in quality, but popular in tone".[1]

In 2017, Robb was named as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's 150 women in 150 words.[1]

Robb died in Auckland on 19 October 2017.[4]

Taxa named by Robb[edit]

Selected works[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Joan Robb". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "ATL: Unpublished Collections". tiaki.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ McLintock, Alexander Hare; Percy Hylton Craig Lucas, Administrative Officer; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Modern Methods of Conservation". An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ "View Joan ROBB's Notice on nzherald.co.nz and share memories". notices.nzherald.co.nz. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.


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